Screening and testing

Anyone not getting any screening or tests done? My doctor asked me and said it want necessary because I'm 24 and not high risk. My friend of the same age is getting screened though. My insurance won't pay for it but do you think its worth it?

Anyone not getting any screening or tests done? My doctor asked me and said it want necessary because I'm 24 and not high risk. My friend of the same age is getting screened though. My insurance won't pay for it but do you think its worth it?

Personally, and I will say it again, this is MY opinion, I think it is worth EVERY PENNY. Â Age increases risk, but being in your 20's in NO way means you have no risk.

Babies are going to beÂ expensive, this is just one of those early costs.

Screenings can help you and your doctor give you the BEST prenatal care possible.

I lost my first pregnancy when I was 26 years old at 16 weeks. Â Without genetic testing and screening we would not have known anything as to what happened. Â And what we learned from our loss has helped our doctors give us the right care for this pregnancy, and I am 27 years old.

Personally, and I will say it again, this is MY opinion, I think it is worth EVERY PENNY. Â Age increases risk, but being in your 20's in NO way means you have no risk.

Babies are going to beÂ expensive, this is just one of those early costs.

Screenings can help you and your doctor give you the BEST prenatal care possible.

I lost my first pregnancy when I was 26 years old at 16 weeks. Â Without genetic testing and screening we would not have known anything as to what happened. Â And what we learned from our loss has helped our doctors give us the right care for this pregnancy, and I am 27 years old.

I had it last time and am again this time. However, I will turn 37 in a few days. So, my risks are much higher. If I were younger, I probably wouldn't pay the extra money for it. If there was something indicating that there was an issue, or something arises during your pregnancy, then go for the extra stuff.

I had it last time and am again this time. However, I will turn 37 in a few days. So, my risks are much higher. If I were younger, I probably wouldn't pay the extra money for it. If there was something indicating that there was an issue, or something arises during your pregnancy, then go for the extra stuff.

I think I'm on the same boat as you...even if there was a problem there isn't much I can do about it except prepare myself a little better. Also, I know two people who've were screened and the results were abnormal. Both had healthy babies. Still something to think about I guess...

I think I'm on the same boat as you...even if there was a problem there isn't much I can do about it except prepare myself a little better. Also, I know two people who've were screened and the results were abnormal. Both had healthy babies. Still something to think about I guess...

As pp have said, it's definitely a personal decision that only you (and SO) can decide about. I am 29 and we have opted to do all testing we could, including a genetic test on me that we paid quite a bit out of pocket for. We wanted all the information we could get, and are comforted that we will have all the options available to us.

Yes, some screens (ie., the NT scan) have false positive rates, but actual tests don't really (ie., our genetic test determines whether I am a carrier for various genetic diseases and does not have a false positive rate - im either a carrier or I'm not). Amnio and CVS also don't really have false positives. Definitely do your research first and decide what is important to you and SO. You may realize you both are comfortable not doing any testing/screening, maybe not! Whatever you decide will be right for you.

Good luck!

As pp have said, it's definitely a personal decision that only you (and SO) can decide about. I am 29 and we have opted to do all testing we could, including a genetic test on me that we paid quite a bit out of pocket for. We wanted all the information we could get, and are comforted that we will have all the options available to us.

Yes, some screens (ie., the NT scan) have false positive rates, but actual tests don't really (ie., our genetic test determines whether I am a carrier for various genetic diseases and does not have a false positive rate - im either a carrier or I'm not). Amnio and CVS also don't really have false positives. Definitely do your research first and decide what is important to you and SO. You may realize you both are comfortable not doing any testing/screening, maybe not! Whatever you decide will be right for you.

It's a very personal decision. I'm 37 and we've chosen not to do any screenings for several reasons. For one thing, our son was born with an extremely rare genetic condition that would not have been found on any of the standard tests, and once he was diagnosed we did all the testing related to that so we know what our odds are of having it happen again (in our case, the chances are 2% or less). His condition causes visual impairment so we work with Early Intervention specialists and doctors and teachers who help him, and we know that if we have another child with any type of disability, we're already prepared to handle those things. When we lost our daughter in second trimester last year, they tested her chromosomes and found no chromosomal abnormalities in her, so the doctor said our chances for having a baby with Down's or other chromosomal issues are slim since we've had 2 babies (at age 35 or later) without those issues. We have pretty crappy insurance so we would have to spend a lot of money out of pocket to take the tests. For us, with all things considered, it made sense not to do the tests.

I think there are so many things to consider when deciding if you want to spend the money on those tests, and only you can know what's best for your situation. Good luck!

It's a very personal decision. I'm 37 and we've chosen not to do any screenings for several reasons. For one thing, our son was born with an extremely rare genetic condition that would not have been found on any of the standard tests, and once he was diagnosed we did all the testing related to that so we know what our odds are of having it happen again (in our case, the chances are 2% or less). His condition causes visual impairment so we work with Early Intervention specialists and doctors and teachers who help him, and we know that if we have another child with any type of disability, we're already prepared to handle those things. When we lost our daughter in second trimester last year, they tested her chromosomes and found no chromosomal abnormalities in her, so the doctor said our chances for having a baby with Down's or other chromosomal issues are slim since we've had 2 babies (at age 35 or later) without those issues. We have pretty crappy insurance so we would have to spend a lot of money out of pocket to take the tests. For us, with all things considered, it made sense not to do the tests.

I think there are so many things to consider when deciding if you want to spend the money on those tests, and only you can know what's best for your situation. Good luck!

we opted not to do any extra testing for DS or this pregnancy...our insurance won't cover it, neither family has a history of factors to cause a need and I'm only 27 and we personally wouldn't change anything based on the results. it is a personal choice (like PP said). it just wasn't something we were interested.

we opted not to do any extra testing for DS or this pregnancy...our insurance won't cover it, neither family has a history of factors to cause a need and I'm only 27 and we personally wouldn't change anything based on the results. it is a personal choice (like PP said). it just wasn't something we were interested.

i am gonna be completely honest with you. i just did the quad screen,pretty much had no choice in it, but it came back saying that i am at a higher risk for down syndrome then normal girls my age(i am 21 and this is my first) also it doesnt run in my family or my husbands. so now i have to see a high risk doc to do my u/s(which isnt till July 18th) so i pretty much sit and worry now. i have been told that this test give 90% false results. so i personally say it is up to you.

i am gonna be completely honest with you. i just did the quad screen,pretty much had no choice in it, but it came back saying that i am at a higher risk for down syndrome then normal girls my age(i am 21 and this is my first) also it doesnt run in my family or my husbands. so now i have to see a high risk doc to do my u/s(which isnt till July 18th) so i pretty much sit and worry now. i have been told that this test give 90% false results. so i personally say it is up to you.

I would agree with what everyone has said, it is a very personal choice. Personally we chose not to do any of the testing. I'm 32 and this is my first pregnancy. Mostly, it came down to the fact that if the tests showed something bad... What were we going to do? That's not something I could do. (Again, very personal choice. Not making any judgements just not something I could do.) We believe that whatever is ment to be will be, it's all part of Gods plan for us. I don't know if that helps you or not. I would say sit down, think about it, and talk it over with your loved ones. If you feel that it's important... Then it is. I wish you luck, and hope whatever you choose you get the answers you need. (and want :-) Happy and Healthy pregnancy!

I would agree with what everyone has said, it is a very personal choice. Personally we chose not to do any of the testing. I'm 32 and this is my first pregnancy. Mostly, it came down to the fact that if the tests showed something bad... What were we going to do? That's not something I could do. (Again, very personal choice. Not making any judgements just not something I could do.) We believe that whatever is ment to be will be, it's all part of Gods plan for us. I don't know if that helps you or not. I would say sit down, think about it, and talk it over with your loved ones. If you feel that it's important... Then it is. I wish you luck, and hope whatever you choose you get the answers you need. (and want :-) Happy and Healthy pregnancy!

The only test that the practice I go to routinely offers is the quad screen at 16 weeks which I turned down last time and this time as well, I was 31 then I'll turn 33 within days of this one's birth. I think if they offered it I would consider the NT scan and blood test, but even still I'm not sure that I would do them. DH and I discussed them and felt that since we wouldn't consider terminating the pregnancy we could deal with any potential problems and further testing if something showed up at our anatomy scan. That said it's a personal decision and there is no wrong choice.

The only test that the practice I go to routinely offers is the quad screen at 16 weeks which I turned down last time and this time as well, I was 31 then I'll turn 33 within days of this one's birth. I think if they offered it I would consider the NT scan and blood test, but even still I'm not sure that I would do them. DH and I discussed them and felt that since we wouldn't consider terminating the pregnancy we could deal with any potential problems and further testing if something showed up at our anatomy scan. That said it's a personal decision and there is no wrong choice.

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